# NTSB IAD03LA013: Beech C35, N707D, Reedville, VA, November 10, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 10, 2002, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Reedville, VA - Coordinates: 37.905834, -76.290275 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9058&lon=-76.2903&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 26, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56058 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=IAD03LA013 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56058/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD03LA013 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area, and his failure to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - grass - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - object - pole ## Analysis The pilot attempted to take off from a grass strip, which was "soft" on the day of the accident due to several days of rain. During the takeoff roll, the airplane's left wheel hit a "soft spot" on the runway, causing the airplane to rotate approximately 30 degrees to the left. The pilot applied right rudder but did not observe any response from the airplane. He then reduced the throttle and applied the brakes. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, and impacted a pole with its right wing. Examination of the airplane revealed no mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative On November 10, 2002, at 1400 eastern standard time, a Beech C35, N707D, was substantially damaged during a takeoff attempt from Federhart-Ophelia STOLport (VA99), Reedville, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot was uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, about 60 knots, the airplane's left wheel hit a "soft spot" on the runway, causing the airplane to rotate approximately 30 degrees to the left. The pilot applied right rudder; however, he observed no response from the airplane. He then reduced the throttle and applied the brakes. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, and impacted a pole with its right wing. The pilot reported that the runway used, runway 19, was a 2,200-foot-long, 80-foot-wide grass strip which he maintained himself. He stated that the strip was generally "soft" on the day of the accident due to several days of rain. The pilot also reported that he inspected the runway prior to takeoff; however, he did not observe any soft spots. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector performed an on-scene examination of the airplane. According to the inspector, substantial damage was noted to the airplane's right wing, and no mechanical anomalies were observed. The pilot's most recent FAA third class medical was issued on January 29, 2001, at which time he reported 2,800 hours of total flight experience. Weather reported at Patuxent Naval Air Station (NHK), Patuxent River, Maryland, 24 miles to the north of the accident site, at 1354, included winds from 200 degrees at 12 knots, gusting to 16 knots, 7 miles visibility, scattered clouds at 2,000 feet, and broken clouds at 8,000 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N707D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N707D-2008-08-27), registration cancelled 2008-08-27, S/N D-2979, built 1951 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Beech C35 - Registry model: [Beech C35](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-c35) (registry code 1151508) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental E185 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-e185-series) (registry code 17014, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: D2979 - Airframe hours: 1982.92 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Eseries185-11 185 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John Federhart - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 2002, 8 hours before - Departed: VA99, Reedville, VA - Destination: VA99 - Airport: VA99, Federhart-Ophelia STOLport, runway 19, 2,200 × 80 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 31, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 2,890 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 2,890 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: NHK, 24 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20021110032719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021110032719A), Nov 10, 2002: Beech C35BEECH, Reedville, VA, Substantial damage. (-23) VA99 is a private grass surface field located near Reedville, VA. The runway is oriented north/south with several buildings along the sides of the… ## Other investigations on N707D (1) From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. - [NTSB MIA66D0238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA66D0238), May 7, 1965: Beechcraft C-35 (N707D), Mcminnville, TN, substantial damage From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.